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For the third straight year, the Latin Academy girls' soccer team has bonded by hosting a game to raise money for breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

This year’s game, against Madison Park Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Hynes Field, will once again raise money for the American Cancer Society to support breast cancer research.

“The girls all look forward to this each year,” said first-year varsity coach Kara Stafford. “It’s a great tradition that the previous varsity coach started. They get dressed up, they plan out how they are going to warm up, they really take ownership of the fund-raising at school, walking around selling things during lunch, making posters and putting them up.

“It’s a good chance for them to work on something that’s not soccer.”

The team will charge $4 admission and $2 for anyone sporting pink, and sell refreshments and crafts to raise money. The players will also sport pink on the field and play with a pink ball.

The Latin Academy girls raised more than $400 each of the last two seasons and they hope to surpass that figure this year.

“I hoping that we’ll exceed last year and maybe hit the $500 mark, that would be great,” Stafford said. “We’ve been getting the word out to a lot of the teachers and people’s families, so we’re expecting a pretty good turnout.”

Senior defender and cocaptain Jillian Eweka said the game is a chance to bring the school community together.

“I think a lot of people are affected by breast cancer, and it gives everyone an opportunity to show their respect and it’s really a way for everyone to come and show their support,” she said. “When we all come together, we all fight for one cause, it really brings us together. We dress up and it brings us together.”

Eweka said the game has the added benefit of helping the team bond just in time for the city championships at the end of the month. Last year, Latin Academy lost in the final game, 1-0, to East Boston.

“Afterwards, we are ready for cities, it’s a good central game for everybody,” she said. “It really brings us together. It works out really well because we’re all together.

"We know what we have to do to finish the season strong, and this brings everyone together and puts everyone in the same mind-set.”

About Boston Public Schools Sports Blog

Several reporters, editors and correspondents contribute updates, news and features to the BPS Sports Blog:

Justin A. Rice -- A metro Detroit native, Rice is a Michigan State University (Go Spartans!) and Northeastern University graduate. Rice lives in the South End with his dog and wife, who unfortunately attended the University of Michigan ... his wife, that is. He curates the BPS Sports Blog and is always looking to write about city athletes with great stories. Have an idea? He can be reached at jrice.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @GlobeJustinRice or @BPSspts.

Ryan Butler -- A Rhode Island native and avid Boston sports fan, Butler played basketball, baseball and football throughout his time in Barrington Public Schools. Now currently in his middler year at Northeastern University, he joins Boston.com as a correspondent for the site's BPS coverage. Have a story idea? Contact him at butler.globe@gmail.com. Follow him on his Twitter @butler_globe.

Also expect updates from Boston.com High School sports editor Zuri Berry and the Globe staff.